On Memorial Day, Wharton County offers several ways to honor veterans. At 9 a.m., a service begins at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in East Bernard. At 10 a.m., the El Campo Community Cemetery on Jesse Street hosts a ceremony with Army retirees Angela Smith-Duncan and Andrew Duncan sharing their stories. At 11 a.m., El Campo … Read more
Bay City Council is tightening rules for new apartment complexes to boost safety and design standards. Updates would limit buildings to 45% lot coverage, require green space, and cap units at 18 per acre. New rules call for garages, sidewalks, fencing, and playgrounds for larger units. Complexes near homes would need bigger setbacks. Meanwhile, the … Read more
El Campo honored its Public Works Department this week, recognizing over 100 years of combined service. City Council and residents gave a standing ovation Monday as Mayor Eugene Bustamante declared the week as National Public Works Week. Crews are wrapping up major sewer line upgrades on North Wharton Street, with more improvements coming to South … Read more
Fifteen Matagorda County seniors received $196,000 in college scholarships from Tenaris during a ceremony at its Bay City facility, marking 12 years of local investment. Bay City High’s Meredith Williams earned the $60,000 Student of the Year award. Six others received $20,000 Merit Awards for pursuing STEM careers. Since ’13, Tenaris has contributed $3.8 million … Read more
A Bay City man is in jail after pulling a gun on officers Friday night near the Matagorda County Fairgrounds. Around 9 p.m., after a fireworks display, 42-year-old James Templeton reportedly shouted at workers, then pointed a gun at four responding officers from Bay City, El Campo, and Wharton County. Police say they talked him … Read more
In Van Vleck, freshman Alianna Paschall pulled off a student-led car show called “Cars for Christ” in just 19 days. Hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Van Vleck High, the event raised over $300 for future faith-based student activities. Inspired by a similar event in Wharton, Paschall organized everything with help from family … Read more
Wharton Councilman Burnell Neal has been indicted for allegedly injuring a child and an elderly woman during a March 22nd disturbance on Harris Street. Prosecutors say he punched the woman and caused an 11-year-old to fall and hurt her wrist. Despite the charges, Neal was re-elected in May to represent District 1 on the city’s … Read more
Two young children from Wharton are recovering in stable condition at a Houston hospital after being hit by a vehicle Saturday night. Around 9:30 p.m., their mother was pushing them in a shopping cart along a dark stretch of East Boling Highway after leaving H-E-B. Both children suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to Memorial … Read more
After a 20-year pause, Wharton pastors teamed up with Wharton ISD to bring back the Baccalaureate service for graduating seniors. Grace Community Fellowship hosted the event Sunday at 7 p.m. for the Class of 2025. The Wharton High School band performed, and local pastors shared messages of purpose and faith. Graduates from Faith Christian Academy … Read more
Bay City ISD has hired Lionell Robertson as the new boys basketball coach at the high school. Robertson, from Port Arthur, comes from Pasadena Memorial, where he was an assistant coach. He takes over after Carl Edwards left for Port Lavaca Calhoun. Last season, Bay City made the playoffs for the first time since ’18 … Read more